How Long Is a Judgment Valid in Florida?

A Florida money judgment is valid for 20 years from the date it was entered. Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(1), that's the statutory life of the debt — once 20 years pass, the judgment expires and no further writs or legal process can issue against the debtor.

That's a long time. And it matters, because the debtor's financial situation at year one may look nothing like their situation at year ten.

The Judgment vs. the Lien

The judgment itself lasts 20 years, but the liens you file to protect it have shorter lifespans:

If you let a lien expire without renewing it, you lose your priority position. Other creditors who filed after you move ahead. You can re-file, but your new priority date is the re-filing date — not the original.

What If the Debtor Has Nothing Now?

This is the most common frustration in small claims collection. You won your case, but the debtor is effectively judgment-proof — no non-exempt assets, no meaningful wages, no property beyond their homestead.

Here's what you should do:

File your liens anyway. A $20 Sunbiz Judgment Lien Certificate is cheap insurance. If the debtor starts a business, buys equipment, or acquires non-exempt property at any point over the next 5 years, your lien already covers it.

Record the judgment in the debtor's county. A real property judgment lien sitting on record means the debtor can't buy a non-homestead property in that county without your lien attaching automatically.

Set calendar reminders for renewal dates. The Sunbiz second certificate may be filed within 6 months before or after its scheduled 5-year lapse; re-record a real property judgment before its initial 10-year period expires. Missing these windows can cost you lien priority.

Check back periodically. People's circumstances change. The debtor who was unemployed after your judgment may have a steady job three years later. Run a public records search every year or two — check the county property appraiser, Sunbiz for new business filings, and the FLHSMV for vehicle titles.

Post-Judgment Interest Keeps Accruing

While you wait, the debt grows. Florida's post-judgment interest accrues automatically under § 55.03 at rates around 7–9% per year. The CFO sets rates quarterly, and judgments entered after July 1, 2011 adjust annually on January 1. On a $5,000 judgment, that's roughly $350–$450 per year in additional debt the debtor owes you.

Over 20 years at historical rates, interest can more than double the original judgment amount.

Can the Debtor Discharge the Judgment in Bankruptcy?

Yes. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing can discharge most unsecured money judgments, including small claims judgments. If the debtor files bankruptcy, the automatic stay freezes all your enforcement efforts, and a discharge order may wipe out the debt entirely.

However, not all debtors file bankruptcy, and not all debts are dischargeable. Judgments based on fraud, willful injury, or certain other grounds may survive a bankruptcy discharge.

The 20-Year Clock Is Your Ally

Many creditors give up when the debtor claims to have nothing. But 20 years is a long time for circumstances to change. Jobs start, businesses launch, properties are inherited. The creditor who files their liens and maintains them is positioned to collect when the opportunity arrives.

Our Florida Small Claims Judgment Collection Guide includes a lien renewal calendar and a long-term enforcement strategy for judgment-proof debtors — covering when to check back, what to look for, and how to restart enforcement when the debtor's situation changes.

Get the complete guide and play the long game with confidence.

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